Appliance for conduit-wiring.



J. S. STEWART. APPLIANCE FOR GONDUIT WIRING. APPLICATION FILED NQv.1s,'19o'/.

1.9073911, Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. S. STEWART. APPLIANCE FOR CQNDUIT WIRING.

APLICATION FILED NOV. 13,1907.

907,91 1 Patented De. 29, $05.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED sTATEs PA JAMES s. STEWART, or NEW YORK, N. Y., AssIeNoR To "ANNIE sTEWAan-or NEW YORK, N. Y.

ENT

APPLIANCE FOR CONDUIT-WIRING.

A. No. 907,91`1`..

l wh'om fit 'may concern.: v Be' 'tlknovfn that I, JAMES S. STEWART, a citizen of the'U-nited States, residing at thecity of .New York, in the county of New York and State of IYew'Yorlr, Vhave inventedcertain new and .useful Improvements Appliances for Conduit-VViring, of which the fol- Flowing` is a full, .c1ear, and exact description. lMy'invention relates to appliances for conduit-wiring andjmore particularly a type`of '2* la ceptacle or rosette .applicable for use l.utletbox of .ordinary construction. duit Wiring, the conductors are led iron pipes .either embedded in the ing-or walls of a building, or in an ex- 'atioir Itis evident that a maxigreeof safety aga'i st ire is obtained *mpletely incasing t ie conductors fin i way. vMoreoven theconductors' are protected from dampness -and injury by any, cause, so that-notwithstanding the difliculties and expense oft-his construction, its use Vis .largely superseding other kinds of Wiring for inside purposes. Itis evident-that wherever a lamp is to be provided, the conduit pipe must be interrupted and. some sort'ot Y box or pipe enlargement furnished of s'uiiicient size to receive the lamp receptacle and the necessary Wiring. The devices in use for this purpose are termed outlet boxes and are constructed in 'standard forms, for example, as shown in the drawingsoffthis application. The ordinary'outlet boxl comprises angintef D a 'this Specification oi? Letters Patent.

' ratnt'edineaee, 190s.

v Application filed. November 13, 1907. Serial No. 401,932.

gral kcup stamped lof sheet metal with opentions, and a cover with a central perforation through which the lamp receptacle projects.

. On the-grounds of economy and appearance, it is desirable to havelthe outlet boxes as 40 small as possible, but in order to contain the necessary wiring, and a porcelain receptacle of the ordinary sort, they are never less than 3 in diameter, and more commonly. 4 in practice. T he 'lamp receptacle used must, of course, be anchored in placew-ithin the outlet box and so far as l am aware. this has always been done either by a fastening between the bottom or back plate of the outlet box and the llairp. receptacle, or in some cases a fas# tening between thecover plate .and the lamp receptacle. i very obicctionable because of the difhculty of connecting, soldering, ltaping or compounding the vrires (unless a very long loop The latter arrangement is found sarily very much in the way under'these circumstances. Moreover, with th1s.arrangement, it is inipossible'to remove .the cover' withoutwholly disturbing the receptacle and the Wiring. lf, on they other hand, .the re-v ceptacle is fastened by machine screws .to the bottoml plate ot' the iron outlet: box, it is evident that considerably'accurate machine work 'in drilling and tapping must be done, orelse a great multitude of holes initially provided inthe bottom plate of the outlet box,

as is usually the case. Even in this instance, 'no .small difficulty is found in properly registering the holes with those of different types of receptacles, and the surplus holes are left to admit moisture. It is also necessary to have a. porcelain or insulating wall betweenthe threadedshell'- and the edges of the central 4opening throughthe cover, and a mere bushing ring is not satisfactory on account of its liability of becoming broken or' removed and lost.

y So far as l am aware', it Vhas been the gentionable because of the necessarily large size of the completereceptacle, with its central block and its outside horsing part. With this construction and -n-'ih the necessary wiring required, it is almost :..lways necessary to'use at least a4 outlet bex. An incidental disadvantage in this construction is the fact that the wires are crowded against the iron back plate of the outlet box where'they are liable to grounds and short-circuits.

It is the pirpcse of. my present invention to overcome each of these above-enumerated diiliculties and objections, and to provide a type of a lamp receptacle or rosette exclusively for use in conduit wiring, which has an insrlating partition between-the threaded,

shell and the. edge of the opening .in the c over plate; `which/is of sich small diameter within the outlet. box that all necessary Wiringcon- 55 is left bv the Wireman), on, account of the nectionsjcfan be made with great convenience flaring edges ofthe cover plate which is neces-j boxes ofthe smallest sizes and which supports the conduit wires at a considerable elevation away from the bottom or back plate.` I also provide means by which the body of the receptacle or rosette is anchored securely in place withinthe outlet box by meanswhich is not disturbed by removing the cover.

AWith these objects in view, the invention consists. in the features of construction and combination as hereinafter set forth and claimed. I In the-drawings, Figure 1 is a lan view partly in section of an outlet box o the type i used with my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same.

the receptacle. Fig. Sis a view similar to only practical number, for reasonsl later view showing a receptacle embodying the principles of my irlyention in place therein.' Fig. 3'is a side view of the receptacle. Fig. 4 is a view of a retaining device or holding plate which I employ. Fig. 5 is a view simiar to Fig. 2l showing the cover in place upon the outlet box. Fig. 64 is a vertical sectional Fig. 7 is a bottomview of can be knockedout when desired to permit the connection of additional pipes. 6 indicates lrgs formed by inwardly bent portions, of the ot tlet .box and which have threaded holes fork the fastening screws of the cover. All these features are of` thev standard and' 'well-known' construction, and constitute n part of my invention.` V 1 8 designates the body of aform'of lamp receptacle embodying the principles of my invention. One essential characteristic of, this body is the provision'of a ledge or should-er 9 directed upwardly or toward the lamp receiving-end. nthe forin'of the invention shown wherevthe body 8 is of cylindrical out--v line, I provide a plurality of teats ornprojec-"v Y tions .1() which are designed to cooperate' with certain recesses in a holding *platel 'later' described. InA practice, I'iind four of these teats or projections e ually spaced apart'from one another or a mi tiple of four to be the Vpointed out. y r

The second feature of the body 8 which I regard as peculiarly characteristic is the provision of a comparatively slender elongated portion 1 1 generally co-axial and symmetrical with the body of the receptacle and extending in the direction away from the lamp end. lInpractice, I malte this elongated portion 11 of a diameter slightly greater than any one of the knockout portions 1, 5 of the outlet box, and recess the 'flat end face plate.

' in by a plate 14 having a downward .ing integral strip or earl,- the end of which slightly at 12 so as to just fit nicely over 'the inwardly embossed art 5 in the.l bottom p The length oftheelongated portion is just suiiicient to bring the shoulder 9 on a level with the lugs 6 of the outlet box.

13 indicates the threaded shell snugly received within the body 1 and clam ed therel)Y extendisbent `over at 16 and has a terminal screav 17 which clamps the .conduit wire. For greater compactness, this ear or extension is inset in a suitable recess .18 in the elongated portion' 11 of the body. 18 designates a similarv recess in the other side of the. elongation 11 and which receives a terminal clip or ear 19 having a bent portion v16 and a terminal screw' 17. This-ear or clip is bent into a lateral opening of the body S and receives a screw '21 extending downwardly from t-he threaded shell'cavity 'and serving the double function vof a central stud terminal and a fastening means for the clip 19. It is clear,"

that this. construction not only providesjir holding all the parts together, but establishes all necessary electrical connections.

and in such'a way that a-partition 8X o integral porcelain is always interposed between parts of opposite polarity.

.22 indicates the holding plate referred to.

and which serves a very impoi'tantpurpose in thecombination. This part is essentially a retaining device which extends across the open side of the outlet box and secures the receptacle in place therein, -particularly against any angular movement. In ractice, I form the retaining device or ho ding plate from sheet metal with a central opening 23of such asize as to receive the body 8 with the redges of the holding plate resting snugly against the shoulder 9. 24 indicates recesses corresponding to the teats or protectional() already referred to andwhich coy operate therewith to prevent relative anilar movement between the holding plate and the body of the receptacle. At diamet- Arically opposite points corresponding to the locat-ion of the lugs 6 of the outlet box, there are integral ears 25 terminating by points separated lat a distance corresponding to the internal diameter of the outlet box. These K'ears are designed to be passed beneath the lugs 6 in which 'relationthey bearthe holding plate' down against the shoulder 9 of the lamp receptacle which is securely anchoredI or locked in position by this simple engagement on account of the elongation 11 which abuts against the bottom plate of the outlet box. In. practice', I have upturned 'flanges- 26 on the ears 25 which fall on either side` of the lugs 6 and keep the locking' plate against angular movement. holding plate is sutlicient to permit tht` initial engagement of the holding plate with the lugs, notwithstanding these flanges. I do The .resiliency of the plied in inserting or removing ala not rely on this engagementfhovvever, to. ab'soutely 'lock the 4lamp receptacl against A rotar movement whichis' essent .wthstan the considerable twisting ih V- ends of the "ears l have elongated sfor.

holes 28 which arezdirectly beneath-the'holesl f of the lugs 6. When Ithe cover' 30 lof the outlet box is secured into place theV usual screws pass downward throughfthedu s and through' the elongated holes"2`8 forming an vengagement therewith so secure as to absolutely re'clude any-angular movement of thelio ding plate with its lamp.` receptacle`- llncidentally this engagement' prevents the.

holding plate beingbuckl-'ed upward'b any strain, slnce such a movement would e'resisted'by. the screws.. In racticeythe holes 28 are formed by merely s otting the ears 25 -inverted V.v In this Way thewidth of the hole or 'slot adjusts itself somewhat to the binds -tightly on' .size f of the screw ,used and the threads thereof atthe engaging edges.

l In use, the conduits with their outlet boxes being installed, the conductors arepositioned by being pulled through from box tobox, al vive Wire slight loop being leftateach box to enough for the connections with receptacle or rosette.

lamp

30 Thereafter, the yWires vare stripped and soldered o'rfastened to ter' minals 17, 117', the rece tacle body being -loose'orunfastened at this time. On account of this loose -relation andparticularly the fact that thebody of the receptacle is so 1 smaila-nd slender with the especially slender elongated Aport-ion 1'1, these acts. are very 'readily accomplished; If the Wireman has even no loop at all, still it is possible. to make the connections, since the terminal screws are'exposediii engaging relation adjacent to the conduit Wires, even though the la tter'run practicallv straight through the box. theotherliand, if the wireman has left along loop at the outlet box, "no harm isdone, be-

cause, las .the receptacle is so small, Vthere is plenty of room to pack away the surplus ivire. The terminal connections are made at a. point `at least one-half inch away .from the metallic base ofthe out-let box, and the wires are not crowded into engagement therewith. Also itwill be notedthat there is a considerable insulating artition between the threaded shell and tie surrounding edges oftheco'ver plate; Also the cover canbe removed whenever desired without .disturbing the receptacle or wiring, which is nevertheless made sufficiently accessible for all purposes. It is obvious that the outlet box maybe used as a pull'box -for `subsequent .lines in threading such subsequent lines -through the conduit orv running a branch therefrom. This latterl characteristic arises on account of the room 'l left Within .the outlet box, 4 together with the outlet box .and bending down the edges forward into an- '33 with screvv terminals34 for the extension line and havlng downwardly extending ears .35 forming terminal clips for the conduit conductors and analogousfto the parts A15', -19

only left a short loop in the` conductors, orA

-freel removablecharacter of the cover plate.

Fina lyI and 'e'rhaps most important of all,

the receptac el very' securely fastened against .any dependent movement in-'the d. -zparticularly any angular movement, there beingsevere angular strains "in the insertion and removal of a lamp."

While'I: have described the invention. ar` ticularly for use'wlth a lampreceptacle, 1t is `evident that .it is equally applicable toa rosette. In Figs. 8 and 9, I have illustrated a rosette, which, lWhen in itsassembled condition has substantially the same exterior outlines as the lamp receptacle already described, except that -the portion Sy'which issues through the cover plate is of some`, what smaller diameter. In practice, the rosette is'co'nstructedl of a` block 31 With a ilatl upper face 82v to which are secured fiat plates already described. 36 denotes-a cap or cas; ing fitting over-the block and having-'lu s 37.1.90y enga-ging a transverse partition 38 o .Athe block 31-so as to preventirelative angul movement. The part 36' has 'a .shoulde'.9 and -teats 'or rojections 10.exac tly corresponding to ti e parts 9 and 10 already de- 95 scribed. This shoulder-With itslteats or projections coperates with the hole 23V of the' Apla-te 22 in exactly the .same Way as inthe preceding1 form of the invention. The n" `lock 31 analogous to the art 1 1 of thereceptacj 'e type.' The use ofp the .rosetteV .is therefore: exactly like the lam receptaclev in all vref spects, and need 'not he again described.

. I have already referred tothe factthat 105 I vthere are four teats or projections 10,'on the shoulder 9 of the vreceptacle or rosette, ora multiple of this number, all equally vspaced apart.4 This arrangement .is particularly advantageous because fthe ordinary. outlet'llo box has only'one air of lu s 6, as shown in the'figures of the ldravvin ut is made with knockout ortions 4 at four points around.

its -circum erence o1 periphery, ordinarily spacedv apart 90 fromjone another. The 115.

box is adapted 'to .receive conduitpipes at either diametrically opposite pairof theseknock-out )ortions 4. A y. l

Inasmucn as itis desirable'to have a reeeptacle or rosette serve equallywellfor conduit 120,

pipes in.any direction, it 1s evidentthat a means .which permits suchr receptacle `or rosette to be positioned in different angulairelat-ions 90 a art-is, advantageous. This is.

ermitted bv t ie spacingv of. the teatfs-ijor'pi'o- 125 Jeetions 1() in the manner indicated hat I claim, is: 1. In combination with 'an-outlet box liav ing an open side and a pair of lugs rojeeting' j inward from the 'edge tliereof,an nisulalting -130 ,f

body 4having terminals and-having' an abutting engagement against the bottom of the box, and an independ'ent retaining device engaging said lugs and 'bearing against said body to maintain it in its abutting relation against the bottoni of the box.

2. In combination with an outlet box having lan4 openside 'and lugs projecting inwardly from the edges thereof, aninsulatingbody having terminals and having an abutting engagement against'the bottom of the box, and

a retaining device engaging the underside o f said lugs'and co erating with said abutting engagement to ho box.

3. In combination-with an outlet box having an open side and a'perforated cover plate therefor, an insulating body having termid said body in place in the i nalsand having a'n abutting engagement against the bottom ofthe box, and a retaining device extending across said open side and coperating with/saidabutting engagement to secure said body inplace in the box.

4. In combination with an outlet box having an open side,aninsulating body having wardly directed shoulder, and a retaining device extending across 'said vopen side and -bearing against said shoulder to secure said body in place in the box. v

5. In combination with an outlet box having-an open side, an insulating body'having terminalswithin the box and' ada ted to rest freely against the bottom thereo ,said bod having an upwardly directed shoulder wit projections, and a retaining device extending across said open side cooperating with saidv shoulder and said projectionsto securesaid body` in place in the box againstv angular orv t any independent movement'.

6. In combination with an outlet box'havl' ingl an open side, an insulating body having.v

terminals within the box and. restingv freely against the bottom thereof, said' body having wardly'directed shoulder with a number of projections which isa multiple of four all equally spaced apart, and a retaining device extendingv across said open side and coperagtingwith; saidshouldejr and said projections to secure isaiddbodyin place injthe box in dii ferent, angular: relationsif ,l

In combination with an outlet box havplate. terminals land restmg freely against the bottom'of the box, said `body having an up! lng an open side and arperfvorated cover plate therefor, an insulating body containing a threaded'shell and a central stud terminal and having a slender elongated Vportion adapted to ,rest against 'the bottom oi said box, said body having terminals extending downward on either side of said. slender elongated portion and having an. upwardly directed-shoulder, .and a retaininglv device extending across saidi open sidev and coperating with saidshoul'der to secure said body in an'd having 'an upwardly directed shoulder, and a-sheet metal holding plate coperating With-said shoulder to secure said body'in place in they box independently of said -cover .10.. In combination with an` outletbox .having an open side andI ay perforated cover plate therefor, an insulating body yhavinga threaded'shell and' a central stud terminal and having a slender elongated po'rtion adapted to rest freely against the bottom of said box, said body havingvterminals extending downward onV either side of said slender' elongated portion and having yan upwardly directed shoulder with projectionshand a retaining device cooperating with said shoulder .and projections to secure said body in place in the 'boxagainst angular or any independent movement. V

lIl1. In combination with, an outlet box 195 having an open'side andfa perforated cover plate therefor, an 'insulating body `having a threaded shell anda centralstud terminal and having ajslender elongated portion adapted to'rest freely against the bottom of. 110 said box, said body having terminals extending downward' on either side of said slender elongated portion `.and having an upwardly directed shoulder, said insulating body extending upward around said threaded shell beyond said shoulder and forming a partition between the threaded shell and the'cover plate, and a retaining device extending across said open side beneath the cover plate andqsecuring said body in place in the box against angular lor `any independent movement.

12. In combination with an outlet box having an open side and a perforated cover plate therefor, an insulating body having a threaded shell Aand a central stud terminal and having a slender Velongated portion adapted to rest ifreely against the bottom of said box, said body having terminals extending downward on' either sidev of said slender 130 ,and a central studl terminal and having a plate. l.

elongated portion and having an upwardly l having an open side with inwardly projecting directed shoulder, said insulating body ex. tending upward around said threaded shell beyond said shoulder and forming a partition between the threaded shell and the cover 13.v combination withv an outlet box having-fan open side with. inwardly directed lugs atits edges and a perforated cover plate, an insulating body having a threaded shell slender elongated portion adapted 't,o,rest against the bottom of said box, said body having terminals extending' downward on either side ofsaid slender elongated portion yand. having an upwardly directed shoulder,

and a sheet metal holding plate cooperating with said shoulder and having ears adapted -to be engaged beneath said lugs and securing said body in place in the box. 1

14. In combination with an outlet box having an o en side with inwardly directed lugs at its e ges and a perforated cover plate and fastening screws, an insulating body having a threaded shell and a central stud terminal and having a slender elongated porv tion adapted to rest against the bottom of said box, said body having terminals exltending downward on either side of said 'slender elongated portion and having an upwardly directed shoulder, and a sheet metal holdingplate cooperating with said shoulder 'and having ears ada ted to be engaged be- 'neath said lugs, sai ears having elongated slotsv with downwardly deflected edges to receive the fastening screws of the cover.

15. ln combination with an outlet box having an open side with inwardly directed anda sheet metal holding plate cooperating with said shoulder and having ears adapted to be engaged 'beneath said lugs, said earsl having flanges projecting vupward on either side of said lugs.

v16. In combination with an outlet box the upper side thereof and engaged beneath said lugs for cooperating with said abutting engagement to hold the bodyin place in the box.

'17. ln combination with an outlet box having an open Aside with lugs projecting inwardly-from the edges thereof, a body having terminals and resting in abutting engagement against the bottom of said box, and a resilient sheet metal .retaining device engaging said body on the underside of said 4lugs to hold thevbody in place in said box.

1S. ln combination "with, an outlet box having an open side, an insulating body having a slender elongation in abutting engagement with the bottornof the box, and having an upwardly directed shoulder with' projections, and means cooperating therewithto said body whereby said body issecured in place in the box against angular or anT independent movement.

19. ln combination with an outlet box .having an open side, an insulating body having a slender elongation in abutting engagement with the bottom of the box and having an upwardly directed -shoulder with'a number 'of equally spaced-apart projections 4which is a multiple of four, and means cooperating therewith and with I'said abutting engagement to secure said body in place in the box against angular or any movement. v

20. ln combination with an outlet box Vhaving an open side with inwardly projecting lugs, a body having terminals, and a sheet metal retaining device engaging said body and said lugs to hold said body in place in the box independently of the cover plate ,or any other fastening means.

In witness whereof, l ,subscribe my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

v JAMES S. STEVART.

. Witnesses: WALDo M. CHAPIN,

REUB'EN GREENE.

exert a downwardly bearing engagement on' ind epen dent' 

